Aug. 3, 2007
Rockefeller Children's Health Bill Passes Senate; One Step Closer to Being Law
By HNN Staff
from Jay Rockefeller news release
Washington, DC (HNN) – After a week of intense debate, the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Aug. 2 passed legislation by a strong, bipartisan vote (68-31) that will reauthorize and expand the landmark Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The bill, authored by Senator Jay Rockefeller, will provide $35 billion to renew and improve CHIP over the next five years – bringing the total federal investment for covering low-income, uninsured children to $60 billion over the same period. (A Fact Sheet on what the bill means for West Virginia is attached)
Ten years ago this Sunday, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, co-authored by Senator Rockefeller, was signed into law. CHIP is a federal-state partnership aimed at providing health insurance to children who otherwise can’t afford it. The program expires on September 30, 2007, and without congressional action more than six million children will lose their health insurance.
“There’s no better way to mark the 10th anniversary of CHIP than by giving millions more children a better start in life,” Rockefeller said. “Keeping children healthy speaks to our deepest humanity. The President is now faced with a choice: join with us in our efforts to provide children with health insurance or veto this legislation and take away the security of millions of families.”
Since the Senate debate began on Monday, President Bush has increased his efforts to derail the bill because it expands coverage to an additional 4 million children, including many who are currently eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, but not covered.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a different version of CHIP reauthorization legislation. It will now be up to a joint Senate-House Committee, which Rockefeller will serve on, to develop a compromise bill that will be voted on when Congress reconvenes after the August Recess.
Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-WV also praised Senator Rockefeller for his efforts, “I strongly support the Children’s Health Insurance Program because it has a proven track record of delivering results for West Virginia’s working families and children. Under this program, kids receive the regular checkups they need to stay healthy, and the care and treatment they need when they are sick. In the last fiscal year, almost 40,000 children in West Virginia were served by CHIP. I want to thank Senator Rockefeller for his strong leadership on this issue, and for fighting to make health coverage available to more children in West Virginia.”
** * *
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization
In 1997, Senator Jay Rockefeller co-authored the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – a program aimed at giving low-income children health insurance coverage. Annually, CHIP has been successfully covering about 6 million children, who otherwise would have been uninsured. On September 30, 2007, the program will expire, requiring Congress to reauthorize the legislation.
What it means for West Virginia
Children Covered Under CHIP in West Virginia will Stay Covered
· Under the Senate bill, all those children currently covered by CHIP in West Virginia will keep their coverage. Last year, more than 39,000 children were enrolled in the program. Additionally, Rockefeller’s bill will expand coverage to at least 4,000 additional West Virginian children.
More Children will be Eligible for CHIP in West Virginia
· Last year, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill to expand CHIP coverage to 300% of the federal poverty level. Because of ongoing federal CHIP funding shortfalls, however, the Governor announced plans to seek an expansion delay pending CHIP reauthorization. The state did expand to 220% of poverty earlier this year, but is waiting on this CHIP reauthorization to continue this expansion.
· Rockefeller’s bill will allow West Virginia to continue with this expansion, and when fully implemented will increase the number of West Virginia children who have health insurance to 97%.
· To help fund this expansion, in fiscal year 2008, the Rockefeller bill provides $44 million for West Virginia’s CHIP program. The bill also allows the state to retain an additional $22 million that otherwise would have been returned to the federal government.
Reaching Out to More Eligible Children
· The bipartisan agreement invests money in outreach efforts to allow West Virginia to find and enroll children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, but who remain uninsured.
· West Virginia would also benefit from incentive bonuses for enrolling more children.
Flexibility for West Virginia to Expand Coverage Options
· The Rockefeller bill makes it easier for West Virginia to spend its CHIP funds to help cover families who can’t afford the private coverage offered by their employers.
· West Virginia also has the option to cover pregnant women for prenatal and post-partum care.
Cigarette Taxes will Pay for Improved CHIP Coverage
· Rockefeller funds his bill through a 61 cent tax on cigarettes and proportionally on other tobacco products.
Rockefeller Children's Health Bill Passes Senate; One Step Closer to Being Law
By HNN Staff
from Jay Rockefeller news release
Washington, DC (HNN) – After a week of intense debate, the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Aug. 2 passed legislation by a strong, bipartisan vote (68-31) that will reauthorize and expand the landmark Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The bill, authored by Senator Jay Rockefeller, will provide $35 billion to renew and improve CHIP over the next five years – bringing the total federal investment for covering low-income, uninsured children to $60 billion over the same period. (A Fact Sheet on what the bill means for West Virginia is attached)
Ten years ago this Sunday, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, co-authored by Senator Rockefeller, was signed into law. CHIP is a federal-state partnership aimed at providing health insurance to children who otherwise can’t afford it. The program expires on September 30, 2007, and without congressional action more than six million children will lose their health insurance.
“There’s no better way to mark the 10th anniversary of CHIP than by giving millions more children a better start in life,” Rockefeller said. “Keeping children healthy speaks to our deepest humanity. The President is now faced with a choice: join with us in our efforts to provide children with health insurance or veto this legislation and take away the security of millions of families.”
Since the Senate debate began on Monday, President Bush has increased his efforts to derail the bill because it expands coverage to an additional 4 million children, including many who are currently eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, but not covered.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a different version of CHIP reauthorization legislation. It will now be up to a joint Senate-House Committee, which Rockefeller will serve on, to develop a compromise bill that will be voted on when Congress reconvenes after the August Recess.
Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-WV also praised Senator Rockefeller for his efforts, “I strongly support the Children’s Health Insurance Program because it has a proven track record of delivering results for West Virginia’s working families and children. Under this program, kids receive the regular checkups they need to stay healthy, and the care and treatment they need when they are sick. In the last fiscal year, almost 40,000 children in West Virginia were served by CHIP. I want to thank Senator Rockefeller for his strong leadership on this issue, and for fighting to make health coverage available to more children in West Virginia.”
In 1997, Senator Jay Rockefeller co-authored the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – a program aimed at giving low-income children health insurance coverage. Annually, CHIP has been successfully covering about 6 million children, who otherwise would have been uninsured. On September 30, 2007, the program will expire, requiring Congress to reauthorize the legislation.
Children Covered Under CHIP in West Virginia will Stay Covered
· Under the Senate bill, all those children currently covered by CHIP in West Virginia will keep their coverage. Last year, more than 39,000 children were enrolled in the program. Additionally, Rockefeller’s bill will expand coverage to at least 4,000 additional West Virginian children.
More Children will be Eligible for CHIP in West Virginia
· Last year, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill to expand CHIP coverage to 300% of the federal poverty level. Because of ongoing federal CHIP funding shortfalls, however, the Governor announced plans to seek an expansion delay pending CHIP reauthorization. The state did expand to 220% of poverty earlier this year, but is waiting on this CHIP reauthorization to continue this expansion.
· Rockefeller’s bill will allow West Virginia to continue with this expansion, and when fully implemented will increase the number of West Virginia children who have health insurance to 97%.
· To help fund this expansion, in fiscal year 2008, the Rockefeller bill provides $44 million for West Virginia’s CHIP program. The bill also allows the state to retain an additional $22 million that otherwise would have been returned to the federal government.
Reaching Out to More Eligible Children
· The bipartisan agreement invests money in outreach efforts to allow West Virginia to find and enroll children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, but who remain uninsured.
· West Virginia would also benefit from incentive bonuses for enrolling more children.
Flexibility for West Virginia to Expand Coverage Options
· The Rockefeller bill makes it easier for West Virginia to spend its CHIP funds to help cover families who can’t afford the private coverage offered by their employers.
· West Virginia also has the option to cover pregnant women for prenatal and post-partum care.
Cigarette Taxes will Pay for Improved CHIP Coverage
· Rockefeller funds his bill through a 61 cent tax on cigarettes and proportionally on other tobacco products.
